House Bill 1551

Introduced House Bill (H)

Authored by

DIGEST

Water supply development and sustainability costs. Authorizes a public utility that provides water utility service to petition the utility regulatory commission (commission) for approval of a plan to develop a future source of water supply. Requires the commission to approve the plan if the commission finds that the proposed future source of supply is reasonably needed within the utility's timetable for providing reasonably adequate service. Provides that, after the utility's plan is approved, the commission shall, for ratemaking purposes, add the costs incurred by the utility in developing the future source of water supply to the value of the waterWater supply development and sustainability costs. Authorizes a public utility that provides water utility service to petition the utility regulatory commission (commission) for approval of a plan to develop a future source of water supply. Requires the commission to approve the plan if the commission finds that the proposed future source of supply is reasonably needed within the utility's timetable for providing reasonably adequate service. Provides that, after the utility's plan is approved, the commission shall, for ratemaking purposes, add the costs incurred by the utility in developing the future source of water supply to the value of the waterutility's property even though the source of supply is not yet used and useful in the provision of service. Authorizes a water or wastewater utility to petition the commission for an adjustment to its rate schedules in an amount that will provide for recovery of costs incurred by the utility for "sustainability improvements" (which include complying with federal or local environmental requirements, replacing lead service lines owned by customers, and installing or replacing plant or equipment to further health, safety, or environmental protection). Requires a utility to obtain the commission's approval of its plan for sustainability improvements in certain cases. Authorizes the office of the utility consumer counselor to submit a report on the utility's petition to the commission. Requires the commission to conduct a hearing on the utility's petition and to issue its order not later than 60 days after the petition is filed.... View more